Management Plan 2021 - 2031

1

Preface

West Wickham Common and Spring Park are two unique public open spaces owned and managed by the City of London Corporation. The two sites combined form the West Wickham Commons registered charity (number 232988) and receive the major part of their funding from the City of London Corporation. West Wickham Common itself is a relic remnant of ‘wood pasture’ with ancient pollarded oak trees harking back to a time when the woodlands were traditionally managed for harvesting timber. It sits within a wider, wooded downland landscape that extends well into the surrounding countryside and is characteristic of this type of habitat. Spring Park is similarly wooded but unlike West Wickham Common is not associated with the historical wood pasture system of management; it is instead an area of ancient woodland and neutral grassland. This too is a remnant of a much larger forested landscape which is now rare in the area. Both sites, which are separated by less than a mile, are situated in an increasingly urbanised landscape on the fringes of South London and the pressures they are under require innovative approaches to management which allow for people and nature to coexist. The City of London

are working carefully to manage these two important sites, involving the local community at all levels to try and minimise the deterioration of habitats and reduce the

impacts of increased fragmentation.

The City of London Corporation is committed to managing

the West Wickham Commons in perpetuity to ensure that tailed tit tailed

they remain as truly special places. - Photo: Hanna Knutsson Knutsson Hanna Photo: 2 Long

Contents

Introduction 4 Objectives & 39 methodology Achievements 2010-20 5 Objective 1: Biological 40

Objective 2: People 53

Objective 3: Estate assets 61 & legal issues

Site description 7 10 year work 67

Location, ownership & 7 programme status Site map 11

Cultural features 13

Access & visitors 15 Background 72 Financial situation 18 information

Biological features 19 Glossary 72

Rare species & wildlife 30 City of London Open 73 Spaces Contact information 74 Vision 35

3 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Introduction

West Wickham Common and Spring Park extracting timber and wood products from City of London. The other four sites (Farthing were acquired under the Corporation of ‘coppice’ woodland dating back to the 16th Downs, Riddlesdown, Kenley Common and London (Open Spaces) Act 1878. This Act century. Coulsdon Common) sit within a separate charity enables the City of London to acquire and based on their close proximity to each other and The soils and topography of West Wickham are covered by separate site management plans. protect land up to 25 miles out from the Common and Spring Park have conspired to boundary of the Square Mile. Enacted over create an environment where it was difficult to 130 years ago, the City of London has a duty do anything other than grow trees and graze This new management plan aims to to protect and conserve West Wickham animals in the past. This has ensured both sites’ summarise why, when and how the West Common and Spring Park for public survival to this day as rare examples of historic Wickham Commons will be managed over recreation and wildlife conservation ‘in landscapes. perpetuity’. It is further safeguarded by the next 10 years. It builds upon the national legislation. West Wickham Common and Spring Park are, achievements of previous plans and is part however, much more than nature reserves or of a series of documents that provide the Both sites have been influenced by the legacy of time capsules from a bye gone era; they are vision and overall guidance to managing centuries of interactions between people and the living landscapes and places for people to find both sites. environment. There is evidence that West beauty, quiet and space in an increasingly busy Wickham Common was occupied from as far and hectic modern society that is becoming The plan is also a practical working back as the Late Bronze Age up to the Medieval disconnected from nature. document to guide the many hundreds of Period. Centuries of grazing and harvesting of tasks that will take place over the next timber have worked hand-in-hand to shape what The challenge for the City, as land managers, is decade. to balance traditional habitat management was a much more open landscape that gave way to the magnificent oak ‘pollards’, heathland with 21st century expertise and expectations, West Wickham Common and Spring Park is and woodland that now support a variety of rare and to ensure that West Wickham Common and managed by a dedicated site Ranger and and declining species. Spring Park are prepared for the mounting social supported by a wider team of Rangers, and environmental pressures as we progress administration staff, volunteers and contractors to Similarly, Spring Park, which was once part of a through the 2020’s and beyond. larger expanse of manorial woodland of the protect and maintain the important features of Wickham Court Estate, with ties to the Boleyn These two sites, sitting as they do entirely within the two sites for people and wildlife. family, has a long history of growing and the West Wickham Commons charity, are just

two of six Open Spaces managed locally by the 4 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Achievements: 2010-20

West Wickham Common

White admiral admiral White Ian Photo: Leach

Looking after the ancient oak pollards Heathland extension and translocation Contributing to national monitoring schemes

Annual condition assessments of West Wickham Work has focused on preserving the existing Annual butterfly transects have recorded 25 Common’s 15 ancient oak pollards have been area of heath throughout the Earthworks and species of butterflies throughout the woods and carried out to extend the lives of these culturally increasing the area of new and potential across the heath including occasional sightings of and biologically valuable ancients through heathland throughout the site. The spreading of green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), purple targeted habitat management. heather seed and the successful translocation hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus), white admiral (Limenitis camilla) and silver-washed fritillary of young plants has already extended existing areas and facilitated the colonisation of new (Argynnis paphia) contributing to the UK Butterfly Improving the secondary woodland for wildlife ones to preserve this fragile habitat. Monitoring Scheme. Holly clearance, canopy thinning and planting of hazel within the secondary woodland areas has Showcasing the Earthworks’ unique history Green Flag & Green Heritage Award been carried out by Rangers and volunteers. The new hazel plants, along with the natural A new interpretation panel was installed Achieved this benchmark standard of world-class regeneration of species such as cherry, rowan exploring the historic origins and mystery of the and accessible green spaces each year since and birch is starting to increase diversity through undated mounds, banks and ditches on the 2012. Since 2015, the site has also attained the the woodland and the creation of sunny, open Common. Green Heritage Award in recognition of good glades has encouraged wildflowers and conservation standards of historic features in the butterflies. landscape. 5 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Achievements: 2010-20 Spring Park

Brown hairstreak butterfly eggs Green Flag Award Reinstating traditional coppice woodland Achieved this benchmark standard of world- Work in the previous management plan was A full 16-year chestnut coppice rotation has been class and accessible green spaces each year delivered to conserve a diverse age range of completed in woods adjacent to Woodland Way. since 2012. blackthorn scrub for wildlife including the brown The first decade of a 10-year hazel coppice hairstreak butterfly (Thecla betulae). A total of 67 rotation has also been met and the second Diversity of habitats recognised brown hairstreak eggs were counted during a decade is progressing well. Heavy horses were survey in 2019 making Spring Park the largest used to extract timber adjacent to the Spring Park An existing Site of Metropolitan Importance for known breeding colony to Kent Butterfly Office as part of the sustainable management of Nature Conservation designation was extended Conservation. this unique woodland. to include the Spring Park meadows and pond. Proposed Regionally Important Geological & Annual hay cutting of the meadows has Geomorphological Site (RIGGS) improved the diversity of wildflowers including Planting a new hedgerow the first records of a pyramidal orchid The significance of the underlying geology at (Anacamptis pyramidalis) and the nationally- The West Wickham and Spring Park Volunteers Spring Park is recognised under this proposed rare greater yellow rattle (Rhinanthus (WWaSPs) and staff planted a 150m stretch of designation which may be confirmed by the angustifolius). hedgerow to provide a corridor for wildlife and Greater London Authority in the New London Plan restore the boundary between the two historic 2020. A geotrail was developed with the London meadows. Geodiversity Partnership to celebrate Spring Park’s unique geology. 6

West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Site Description West Wickham Common

West Wickham Common is located in the under Section 11 of the Commons Registration London Borough of Bromley covering an Act 1965. There are therefore no rights registered area of 10 hectares (25 acre). West Wickham over the site. Common remains part of a ‘green arc’ of In conjunction with the River Ravensbourne, urban commons, gardens and other open Ravensbourne Valley Woodlands and Hayes spaces on the boundary between London and Keston Commons, all of West Wickham and the wider Kent countryside. It sits Common is classified by the Greater London immediately above the town of Coney Hall Authority as a Site of Metropolitan Importance in the South. To the north and east the for Nature Conservation (SINC). The SINC common is bounded by the A232 Croydon designation acknowledges West Wickham Road. Hayes Common lies adjacent to the Common’s diversity of habitat (specifically the north of the site. mosaic of ancient woodland, acid grassland Ownership and heathland).

West Wickham Common is owned by the City of Physical features London which acquired it in1892 from Colonel Sir West Wickham Common lies on a steep slope John Farnaby Lennard, part of the last Lennard which rises from 76m above sea-level at the baronets of Wickham Court. In the 1860s, Sir John western end of the site to its highest point at Lennard began to sell off plots of West Wickham Common for villas and it was feared that without intervening, the common would lost forever. Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) are areas designated for their The City’s acquisition under the Corporation of importance for wildlife. London (Open Spaces) Act 1878 ensured the public have open access to all areas subject to Local sites are designated by local authorities the byelaws. in cooperation with Wildlife Trusts. Their selection is typically based upon habitats that Site status support rare or scarce species of plants and West Wickham Common is now not a registered animals. common. It became exempt in December 1966 7 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

98m. The greater part of the common consists of a extensive plateau and gives far-reaching views across the Addington Valley.

The majority of the common lies on South London Pebbly Sands over the older rocks of the Harwich Formation comprising of sands, loams (mixed soils of sand, silt and clay) and pebbles. Overlaying these deposits, the soils are generally thin, free- draining and acidic.

These impoverished soils, unsuitable for arable farming, provide the right conditions for heathland and acid grassland and a variety of otherwise uncommon plants and animals. In summer, these soils are susceptible to drying out and, where paths have eroded on the steeper slopes, compacted sand and pebbles are exposed.

No permanent running or standing water is present on West Wickham Common. Historically, a pond was located near Gates Green Road, with early records documenting it as far back as 1888 until it was drained and levelled in 1952.

West Wickham Common is in the upper part of the River Ravensbourne catchment, which feeds into the River Thames with its course through London.

8 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Site Description Spring Park

Spring Park extends over 20 hectares (50 Site status acres) and represents both a natural and Spring Park is designated a SINC by the Greater cultural landscape that has changed very London Authority. This designation primarily little since the City’s acquisition. Spring relates to the ancient woodland, and the Park, like West Wickham Common, is assemblage of woodland flora. Specifically, situated in the London Borough of Bromley. Spring Park holds an important population of The site lies between the A2022 Addington small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata), a nationally- Road, and south west tip of the residential rare tree species and a sign of undisturbed area of West Wickham. The site is bounded ancient woodland. Like West Wickham by two open spaces in separate ownership; Common, Spring Park is not registered common Spring Park adjoins Croydon Council’s land. Threehalfpenny Wood to the west and Bromley Council’s Sparrows Den and Physical features Cheney Wood to the east. Spring Park is geologically complex and

showcases a wealth of landscape features Ownership otherwise hidden from view in the urbanised landscape of South London. The woodland The acquisition of Spring Park came in several slope at Spring Park consists of a south-facing parts. Decades after the original sale of West scarp slope formed in the Palaeocene period Wickham Common to the City from Colonel Sir over 55 million years ago at a time when the John Farnaby Lennard, the woodland at Spring climate was significantly warmer than it is today. Park was gifted to the corporation in 1926 by From the highest point at 95m above sea-level, Colonel Sir Arthur and Stephen Hallam Farnaby the woodland slopes towards a flat, dry river Lennard, also from Wickham Court. The transfer of valley extending across the meadow. land to the City came under the same act of parliament to preserve Spring Park for quiet Paths on the highest part of Spring Park towards recreation and public enjoyment. One year later, Woodland Way where the soils are thin reveal the parcel of land containing the two open large pebbles from the Harwich Formation whilst meadows was purchased from the same vendor. the steepest parts of the slope are formed of

9 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

clay strata from the Lambeth Group. Both the site. Supply of water for the maintenance of the pond is occasionally subject to a shortfall in water Harwich Formation and the Lambeth group are pond is mainly met by diverting some of the in dry summer months but is replenished by characteristic of the London Basin and are seasonal streams from the springs above. The heavier rainfall during the wet winter months. remnants of the prehistoric River Thames where it cut its course through the landscape. Towards the base of these formations, groundwater emerges at several locations on the woodland slope. From these “springs”, the water flows down and then sinks deep below the ground into the sand and pebble beds at the base of the slope.

Spring Park is named after these numerous “springs” and channels that remain damp even during the summer months. Historically, in exceptionally wet years, the grassland at the base of the slope would have been subject to seasonal flooding from the bourne of the Ravensbourne. However, this river has since been diverted underground to prevent future flooding impacts.

A pond at the foot of the slope and grassland was excavated in 1993 as part of a landscape restoration project. Situated in the same location

as a former pond from a 1887 OS map, this is the Photo: Mark Shoesmith Photo: Mark only permanent body of standing water on the Parkthe pond Toads in Spring

10 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Site map West Wickham Common

11 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Site map Spring Park

12 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Cultural information West Wickham Common

Both West Wickham Common and Spring Archaeology is thought to be the site of a Iron Age hill fort. A deep defensive ditch to either side of an Park lie within the landscape character area With visible archaeological features, there are entrance causeway forms an incomplete ring of the North Kent Plains. In a more local clear signs that West Wickham Common was which may have been further fortified by a row context, historically, the area around the used periodically by humans for various means. of upright spiked logs, called a palisade. The two sites was lightly settled and thus the Past archaeological surveys coupled with a defences are believed to be incomplete with area is still characterised by parcels of recent Royal Commission on Historical no known reason to why it was never finished. surviving woodland, heathland and Monuments of England (RCHME) study indicate Long straight banks continue on to Hayes common land. These were places where for that there are landscape features of potentially Common and are probably part of a Medieval centuries local people could graze cattle, regional significance. gather food for livestock and collect field system (1066 – 1540). West Wickham Common itself is an Area of firewood. Most of the many large, ancient Some earth mounds scattered around the site Archaeological Significance (AoAS) with a series trees around the area are a direct result of may be the remains of artificial rabbit warrens of Earthworks in the centre of the common past human management and traditional kept as an important source of protein, prized being the main point of interest. The Earthworks woodland practices. amongst wealthy landowners. A map of 1772 shows warrens in this area and local place names such as “Coney” (meaning rabbit) or “The Warren” suggest a link.

13 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Cultural information Spring Park

As part of a historical manorial landscape, Spring Park’s existence today is a small snapshot of what the surrounding countryside looked like. The nearby Wickham Court, would have once been the centre of an interweaving mix of commons and woodlands with small irregular fields

for grazing animals.

Archaeology

A Portland stone drinking fountain, in

commemoration of Margaret Anderson

White admiral admiral White Ian Photo: Leach McAndrew who lived at nearby Wickham House, from 1881-1925 stands at the entrance to Spring Park from Woodland Way. This structure is on Bromley Council’s protected buildings list.

Going further back in time, a prominent line of small-leaved lime trees forms the demarcation of the south-west boundary of Spring Park, coinciding with the old Kent and Surrey county boundary. Further up the slope, a bank and ditched boundary runs along the entire length between Spring Park and Threehalfpenny Woods including southwards Addington Road. Another small wood bank along the south-eastern boundary marks the woodland and meadow edge within Spring Park. A small keepers lodge built in the 19th century still stands, having been altered over the years to house on-site Rangers.

14 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Access & visitors West Wickham Commons

Visitors to the West Wickham Commons A surfaced easy-access trail runs around the come for informal recreation and activities perimeter of the Earthworks from the car park at such as hiking, jogging and walking. The West Wickham Common. There are 6km of qualities which draw visitors include their footpaths throughout Spring Park and 3.5km of natural aspect, regionally rare wildlife and footpaths on West Wickham Common creating local distinctiveness. Furthermore, they connections within the site but also joining to the provide the visitor with a glimpse into the network of public rights of way in the wider past and perhaps, more importantly in countryside. This includes Section 4 of the today’s hectic world, a restorative London Outer Orbital Path (London LOOP) opportunity for quiet reflection and through Spring park and section 3 at West thoughtful contemplation. Wickham Common.

Access provision Visitor facilities and information provision

The majority of visitors arrive to the sites on foot or Spring Park has two tarmacked car parks along by car. West Wickham Common is served by the Addington Road that provide 26 regular regular bus services from Bromley and Westerham spaces with 2 additional disabled bays; at West with the nearest railway station at Hayes. Spring Wickham Common there is just one car park Park is similarly well-connected by bus with links to with 5 regular and 1 disabled bay. Croydon, Eltham, Addington and Bromley. There The car parks at Spring Park are rarely full as are regular tram services from East Croydon most many visitors use the substantial car park Station, Wimbledon and Beckenham alighting at provided by Bromley Council at Sparrows Den, Addington Village interchange which is 1.6km which adjoins Spring Park to the east. from Spring Park. Wooden notice boards on Spring Park and West Spring Park is also well-placed near to the Wickham Common are regularly updated with National Cycle Route 21 running from Greenwich information about events, current issues and to Crawley. A short, marked cyclepath linking to news. These are strategically placed in key areas the route follows the Addington Road at the edge to maximise potential readership. Information of the site. about current news and issues is also available 15 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

from the City’s website, social media pages and conservation and sustainable management of via an electronic newsletter distributed to visitors these woodland resources. and others on a mailing list. Large map and byelaw boards are presently Recently a new interpretation panel has been situated at the main approaches, gates and erected at the Earthworks on West Wickham entrances to both sites. These provide visitors with Common to provide heritage information about general information about the sites, contact this important archaeological feature. Whilst details and the byelaws which are unique to each many of these type of boards have been site. During the last decade, many of these boards present on the sites over the years, a renewed have become unstable and have since been focus has been placed on designing and removed for the safety of visitors. The byelaw creating imaginative interpretive materials boards require increasing maintenance and which celebrate local history, wildlife and other monitoring due to their ageing and declining points of interest to showcase Spring Park and structural integrity. Options are being explored to West Wickham Common’s story. redesign and install updated boards that balance the original look of the historic boards with a The management story can also be told through welcoming impression for visitors. traditional methods used to make infrastructure in keeping with the wooded, social and natural Dog bins are provided near key entrance points. history of both sites; Where possible, timber Currently dog bags are provided from dispensers produced as part of the ‘coppicing’ rotations on as well, but this provision of service is subject to Spring Park is turned into a range of products future review. including fencing materials, benches and the Education and research occasional interpretive sign. Schools and college groups regularly visit the West In the same way that coppice products were Wickham Commons to learn about management historically a fundamental part of the rural and conservation. Student and other research economy for hundreds of generations, this use of projects are encouraged and the staff and locally produced timber maintains that link with volunteers also carry out long-term monitoring to our past and offers perhaps a route to further our knowledge of how these sites benefit

16 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

people and wildlife. Examples of these are two utility companies have statutory rights of butterfly transects, moth trapping, plant access onto Spring Park and one company on community surveys and dragonfly and damselfly West Wickham Common to repair and maintain monitoring. These surveys underpin and their structures. At Spring Park there are two contribute to regional and national monitoring purpose-built buildings that function as a base for programmes to build a national picture of the on site ranger to store equipment and ecosystem health and the changes happening materials and also as a place for volunteers to to protected sites across Britain. assemble prior to tasks. There are Rangers Lodges on both West Wickham Common and Spring Park Both sites have been well-recorded for different facilitating a site presence 365 days a year. species and, with several technological changes in ecological monitoring, there is the Current use potential to enable greater contributions from Under the Open Spaces Act the requirement is for volunteers and citizen scientists. Successful Spring Park volunteers (affectionately known as West Wickham Common and Spring Park to be community ‘BioBlitz’ led by the rangers (events the ‘WWaSPs’), meet on two days a month managed for informal recreation. Given the to take a snapshot of the variety of life found in during the winter season and one in summer. popularity of these two sites and location in one a specific location) and species recording apps Much of the work to manage the two sites is of the most densely populated regions in the UK, such as iNaturalist could build a bigger picture of literally done by the local community care must be taken to ensure that recreation ecosystem health and support a deeper themselves. activities remain low key and do not result in knowledge of wildlife using the sites. damage and that there is minimal conflict The West Wickham Commons Consultative Community involvement between recreation and conservation. Legal Group advises the City on the development and obligations such as the NERC (Natural True to the original Act which set out to protect implementation of the management plan. It Environment and Rural Communities) Act and the the West Wickham Commons for the benefit comprises a broad representation from the City Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 require positive and use of the public, the local community is an and interested parties from the local management for nature conservation; this is integral part of the two sites’ management. community. strengthened and supported by grant funding Primarily, it is through practical conservation Services and access through Environmental Stewardship. volunteering that the local community has the most involvement. The West Wickham and Several services and utilities traverse the sites;

17

Financial situation

The City of London Corporation provides funding for the management of West Wickham Common and Spring Park largely from its private funds.

For the last 10 years there have been increasing pressures to make revenue savings and these are likely to continue. The City’s revenue can now meet only part of the running costs for West Wickham Common and Spring Park; the sites are increasingly reliant on grants and other sources of income.

The success of much of this management plan depends on the ability to identify and secure significant external funding to match any savings required by the City of London. Environmental stewardship grants help pay for habitat conservation work but the long term future of these grants is uncertain.

New sources of revenue will need to be explored in coming years: the passing of a new Open Spaces Act (2018) together with increased use of technology may open up some new avenues.

18 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Biological features West Wickham Common

With a mixture of veteran trees, secondary specimen can contain micro-habitat features woodland, scrub, heathland, acidic supporting vast amounts of other plants, grassland and wood pasture, the habitats animals, and fungi within its canopy, trunk and now present on the Common likely root system. developed in a wood pasture system which combined the grazing of livestock with the traditional management practice of What is wood pasture? ‘pollarding’. The main attributes of a historic Land containing trees that is or was grazed wood pasture system include old trees that with domestic animals or deer is referred to have grown in relatively open conditions, an as wood pasture. The density of trees can open ground layer, plenty of decaying wood, be very variable, ranging from dense flowers and shrubs. The overall picture of woodland to open grassland or heathland West Wickham Common is a mosaic of with scattered trees. different habitats with a value for wildlife It is a habitat reminiscent of the ancient that is more than the sum of its parts. The Neolithic ‘wildwood’ with a history of large most important and extensive habitats are herbivores (including deer and livestock) described below. grazing amongst trees.

Wood pasture In the past, much of West Wickham Much of the western end of West Wickham Common was probably managed as wood Common is a living example of relic wood pasture with the land under its trees mostly pasture. In order to manage each part of West being rough heathland. Within the wood Wickham Common effectively and maintain pasture there were areas where the trees biodiversity, it is necessary to look in more detail at were regularly ‘pollarded’. the plant communities within the wood pasture. Today, we value this habitat for its wildlife Ancient trees and recreational value and are working to conserve the ancient trees that were Ancient trees are a vital habitat and a treasured enabled through the wood pasture system. part of socio-ecological landscapes; a single 19 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

These trees are those that have reached a great may have died following this work. age in comparison with others of the same In 1990 further work took place to reduce the species. They are often gnarled, knobbly, huge, height of most of the pollards. On this occasion bent and hollow. There are 15 ancient oak relatively small sections of timber were removed. pollards on the common and the majority of In 2004, a Veteran Tree Survey looked at every these trees, judging by their girth, are thought to tree in detail and produced individual 30-year be at least 600 years old. Remains of at least 16 management schedules. dead pollards can be traced in the undergrowth and no doubt others have rotted away contributing to rich deadwood habitat, nutrient Pollarding systems and underground life. Pollarding is an age-old management Ancient trees are often an indicator of past system where the trees are repeatedly cut human activity and are therefore an important for a product; it can be carried out on biomarker of cultural, genetic and natural almost any broad-leaved tree species. The heritage. Past site managers recognised the branches are pruned back to a point importance of these old trees but practices for roughly 2.5m above ground level; this conserving ancient trees have somewhat allows new branches to grow out of reach changed; up until the 1950s, cables were of any grazing animals. attached to some pollards on the common to prevent them splitting apart under their own weight. Some of these chains and braces are still visible today. Concrete was also poured into some of the hollow trunks to prevent malicious fire damage. In the 1950s, the tops were cut out of some trees to reduce the weight of the limbs. In some cases, this work proved a little severe compared with the modern approach of gradual weight reduction. It is probable that some trees

20 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Woodland The woodland found in the eastern section of the The woodland habitat on West Wickham common has developed where there would Common can be roughly split into two different have been an expanse of open heath or communities; the western section which is grassland in the past. Following a gradual characterised by mature woodland amongst reversion to woodland via a transitional scrub the ancient pollards and the exposed eastern phase, this area of secondary woodland is today section, which is a fairly young, dense, closed dominated by oak and birch with an understory canopy woodland. of often densely-growing holly.

The woodland in the western part of the Heathland common is dominated by oak and beech with holly and hazel and sometimes bramble as a An expanse of heathland is located around the shrub layer. Other, rarer plants which appear north west of the common. Occurring below here include Butcher’s broom (Ruscus 300m above sea level, lowland heathland is a aculeatus) and green-flowered helleborine rare and threatened habitat; the UK supports 20% (Epipactis phyllanthes). It contains the greatest of the world’s lowland heathland habitat. concentrations of ancient pollards, so we know In Bromley, the majority of this habitat is found on that these parts were historically more open. Keston and Hayes Common with small patches Over the last decade, work to conserve this on Chislehurst Common, West Wickham habitat has involved creating a more open Common, Farnborough Common and Petts aspect again; this woodland is now Wood. Only around 15% of heathland that characterised by multiple transitions between existed in 1800 remains, having either been built tall and short vegetation, light and shaded on or replaced by woodland and grassland, not areas, warm and cool places. The mirco- least around London. variations within this woodland area benefit a It is a nutrient-deprived habitat, characterised by variety of plant and animals that occupy sandy, mineral soils and a mosaic of low-growing specific niches at the woodland edge, canopy heather, scattered trees and areas of bare and understory. ground. Heathland originates from the historic clearance of woodland and was used by people 21 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

for thousands of years for taking gorse, turf, gravel This newer heathland area, which is growing and for grazing livestock. Today conservation and spreading rapidly, now covers over 1 management replaces these past activities on hectare of land within Earthworks. the heathland and its existence relies solely upon Dormant heather seeds have also germinated in human activity ‘holding back’ the natural process the east corner of the Common following of succession to stop it reverting into woodland several years of woodland glade creation. This again. new area could potentially become a second From a nature conservation perspective, the significant heathland during the life of this heathland is one of the most valuable features on Management Plan and could act as a stepping- the common. It is a Biodiversity Action Plan priority stone for mobile heathland species that are habitat and supports highly-adapted plants that found on the remnant heaths across the road thrive in the nutrient poor soils. The exposed, hot on Hayes Common. and dry microclimate also provides the optimum conditions for basking or sheltering invertebrates such as the green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) butterfly.

The heather-dominated (Calluna sp.) community grows within the Earthworks where a few areas of buried seed germinated following disturbance of the mineral soil by machinery in the 1990’s. This original area of heathland has now spread to over 0.5 hectares in size. Following a restoration project with funding from the London’s Heathland Heritage Partnership in 2007, the heathland was enlarged using an excavator to remove the nutrient rich woodland soil to reveal the underlying mineral subsoil and subsequently seeded using heather cuttings from sites in Surrey.

22

West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Grassland deadwood provides a constantly changing series There is a small area of acid grassland on the of microhabitats. north side of the common. Acid grassland is a The value of this unique habitat differs between rarity within Greater London and is often found different species, age of the tree and decay time as part of the lowland heath landscapes such amongst other factors. The cavities, holes and as West Wickham Common. hollows associated with the decay of heartwood Much like the low-nutrient soils under the heath, provide valuable nesting and roosting sites for this type of grassland supports a diverse birds, bats and hibernating invertebrates. community of invertebrates and uncommon plants including comment bent grass (Agrostis capillaris), slender trefoil (Trifolium micranthum) and bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). The infertile acidic soil (pH4.5-5.5) means that the grasses are generally small and grow close to the ground offering up light and space for less competitive wildflowers.

Deadwood habitat

Veteran trees, with their standing and aerial deadwood and associated fallen timber play a vital role in providing ecological niches for a range of flora and fauna such as fungi, lichen, invertebrates, birds and bats.

Despite this essential role, deadwood has been removed from woodland ecosystems by humans for thousands of years; it is important to the health of woodlands and plays a big part in nutrient recycling. When left to decay in situ,

23 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Biological features Spring Park

The habitats found at Spring Park are a cover a small portion of the UK. The population The woodland occupies the entirety of the slope living legacy of traditional landscape of small-leaved limes is significant as it is most at Spring Park. Various component parts of the management and varied geology. A visitor to likely the largest population in Greater London. woodland exhibit different characteristics and are Spring Park a hundred years ago would have Small-leaved lime trees, once favoured for their divided into defined compartments based on found a working “coppice” woodland pliable bark for rope making, are now nationally tree species, underlying soils and how they are alongside a hay meadow. During the course vulnerable due to their inability to successfully managed. spread by seed. Small populations still exist, but of the past century, with the declining demand for woodland products and less their tendency to be found in established and intensive management, the coppice has ancient woodland means they are a rare sight. grown into mature trees with large oaks which stand tall throughout the woodland. The old meadows and “coppice” woodland Small-leaved lime are now an important relic of the A native tree of England and Wales, the agricultural and pastoral landscape of the small-leaved lime was believed to be the area and support flora and fauna that are dominant tree of much of England before otherwise uncommon in the surrounding the pedunculate oak. urban landscape. The small-leaved lime is a hugely Ancient woodland beneficial tree for pollinating invertebrates which are attracted to its sweet-smelling Spring Park contains one of the best examples of flowers. Its demise was thought to have Ancient Woodland in the local area. The happened over centuries of grazing in dominant species is pedunculate oak, followed woodlands. by sweet chestnut, small-leaved lime and hazel with smaller populations of sliver and downy birch, Now uncommon, small populations, like beech, and alder. Ancient Woodland in England the one at Spring Park, exist as the late can be defined as areas of woodland that have naturalist Oliver Rackham described, “as a persisted since 1600. Ancient woodlands are the living link to the Mesolithic wildwoods after richest and most complex terrestrial habitat and the last ice age”.

24 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Coppice woodland What is coppicing? Sweet chestnut trees are distributed in patches throughout the entire woodland and there are Woodlands in the UK have been traditionally some significant and notable areas where managed, often intensively, for centuries planted sweet chestnut forms a community with making use of the self-renewing abilities of large oak “standards” These compartments or trees to gather an indefinite supply of timber “coups” of sweet chestnut coppice are located for building, fuel and fodder for domestic in a strip adjacent to Woodland Way on the animals. upper plateau of Spring Park above the The practice of coppicing involves cutting the meadow. tree close to ground level; this allows This sweet chestnut understory is cut on a series successive new branches (shoots) to emerge of rotations creating different sizes of timber over from the stump (stool) which can be a 15-year period. This traditional form of repeatedly cut to gather wood. Today the woodland management was reintroduced as a focus is on creating a more open and diverse management objective in 1985. structure to the woodland which benefits wildlife, rather than the produce from Other coppice woodland includes a block of coppicing. The resources produced are still hazel coppice through the centre of the utilised to make a range of timber products for woodland area on the steepest section of the the Commons such as benches, fence posts slope as well a small-leaved lime coup in the far and signs. south-west corner of the site.

By removing some of the canopy through Creating different levels of shade and vegetation coppicing to create a coup (a defined area of density provides a wider variety of habitat niches, coppice woodland), more light and heat can which are filled by a diversity of invertebrates, reach the forest floor presenting an opportunity mammals and birds. Butterfly species such as for woodland flowers, such as British bluebells speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) utilise the (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), wood anemone warm, sunny woodland glades and edges to and (Anemone nemorosa), dog violets (Viola sp.) violets attract silver-washed fritillaries (Argynnis and yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon). paphia) as their food plant which they know their 25 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

caterpillars need to survive when they hatch. area have not been felled or thinned and Over the last century, this practice has decreased subsequently the woodland has maintained a drastically, which has had a hugely negative closed canopy with dominant species of oak impact on open woodland specialists, such as the and sweet chestnut vying for light. white admiral butterfly (Limenitis camilla). Compared with the adjacent coppice Alder woodland woodland, there is a notable absence of the typical ground flora associated with old Along the spring lines at Spring Park there are woodland and many of the animals that go with small patches of woodland that are comprised it. With this in mind, this block is seen to hold less primarily of alder (Alnus glutinosa) alongside conservation and amenity value. downy birch (Betula pubescens). To increase the area’s value for nature The understorey is dominated by hazel (Corylus conservation, the woodland block will be avellana) and honeysuckle (Lonicera thinned to avoid the problem of continued over- periclymenum), with lesser amounts of rowan shading. (Sorbus aucuparia), spindle (Euonymus europaea) and guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus).

Under the trees there is a mixture of damp and shade tolerant wildflowers and grasses including tufted hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) yellow archangel, remote sedge (Carex remota), wood sedge (Carex sylvatica), common figwort (Scrophularia nodosa) and male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas).

Oak and sweet chestnut woodland

An expanse of woodland that has been managed as non-intervention woodland is in the far east of Spring Park. Many of the trees in this

26 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Neutral grassland annua) and sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina). Herbs and flowers include ribwort plantain Since 1966, the grassland at Spring Park has (Plantago lanceolate) and common bird’s-foot- been managed as an amenity area with three trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). rugby pitches cut several times throughout each growing season. Management of the grassland The nationally rare greater yellow rattle as a hay meadow was reintroduced in 1991 (Rhinanthus angustifolius) has spread through the when the third rugby pitch, nearest the south entire meadow over the last decade and is now a western end of the meadow, was no longer major component of the grassland. Known as ‘the needed. meadow maker’ or ‘nature’s lawnmower’, yellow rattle is a semi-parastic plant that draws water In recent years, maintaining the entirety of the and nutrients from plants growing nearby, meadow as a grassland for biodiversity has especially grasses. been prioritised and in 2016 it ceased its use as seasonal rugby pitches. The neutral and acid Yellow rattle can suppress the growth of grasses grassland supports a number of positive by as much as 60% meaning that in the resulting indicator species of flora and adds to the semi- space, other, less common flowers have room to natural quality of Spring Park. grow.

The floristic diversity suggests that the semi- The meadows are usually cut for hay in late improved grassland habitat may be roughly summer when the majority of wildflowers have set divided into two different communities: the north seed. The wildflowers, which are the fabric eastern third (Kent Field) which is a relatively supporting much of the pollinating invertebrates, species-poor, agriculturally improved can be sustained by the annual cutting and community, and the south west section which is removal of plants to prevent nutrients from floristically rather more diverse and includes an enriching the soil, something that has been area of calcareous grassland towards the top of carried out for many decades as a traditional the slope (Little Kent Field). way of keeping the grassland diverse.

In this more diverse grassland, notably Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) is generally dominant together with annual meadow grass (Poa 27 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Hedgerows Successional areas and scrub

The two major hedgerows found at Spring Park, The scrub is a component of woodland edge along the south western and southern sides of the habitat within glades and along paths but is also meadow are relatively recent additions to the site found in a key area of Spring park as a result of having both been planted on new earth banks in deliberate management. A belt of blackthorn 1990 to create a link between different habitats. (Prunus spinosa) dominated scrub is located The hedges were created using a diverse range along the south western end of the meadow, of native woody shrubs. adjacent to the hedgerow along the driveway to the Spring Park Office. To stop the area The dense growth of the hedges is providing an developing into secondary woodland a four- increasingly important habitat and natural year coppice rotation was introduced here in corridor for a wide variety of wildlife. The wildlife 2003 to prevent the gradual loss of habitat value of the hedges is further enhanced by a diversity and a decline in associated species of wide herbaceous habitat either side of the plants and animals. southern hedgerow, and the blackthorn scrub coppice alongside the south western hedge. This belt supports a large breeding colony of brown hairstreak butterfly (Thecla betulae) In 2011, the West Wickham and Spring Park which has been recorded as the largest known volunteers (WWaSPs) planted a new hedge site in Kent following egg searches in December running north-south across the meadow 2019. It was noted that the vast majority of eggs approximately along the line of an ancient had been deposited on plants that had two hedgerow which is visible in old aerial years of growth since coppicing so the photographs from the 1940’s. management of this area must continue to Hedgerows provide food and cover for many ensure two year old growth is always available species including a vast majority of woodland for the butterflies. The southern woodland edge birds, amphibians and small and large mammals. at Spring Park along the meadow is also Several bat species also use the hedges as managed as part of the coppice rotation. This valuable landmarks for their orientation. variation in structure enriches the habitat between the woodland and open grassland by 28 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

providing the micro-heterogeneity in habitats Wetland which different animals can benefit from such as The seasonal ditches running through the invertebrates, small mammals and birds. woodland add significantly to the diversity of Spring Park. Value of scrub The more reliable ditches, where the ground is Scrub provides a valuable niche for nesting at least moist even in the driest of summers, songbirds, invertebrates and other animals. ensure that the stands of alder and other Scrub of varied age, species and structure wetland loving plants and insects thrive in the supports the widest range of wildlife, as some otherwise dry expanse of woodland. species depend on specific growth stages of The pond located on the edge of the meadow certain plants throughout the year. and woodland at Spring Park has typical pond Trees and shrubs that produce flowers and and riparian flora along its banks including bear fruit and berries, for example, are a purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), lesser water reliable source of food and nectar at times of plantain (Baldellia ranunculoides) marsh year when other habitats are resource woundwort (Stachys palustris) water forget-me- deficient or dormant. not (Myosotis scorpioides) and yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus).

It also provides a home for significant breeding odonata populations of damselflies and dragonflies with 13 species recorded as well as frogs, toads and smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris).

29 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Rare species & wildlife West Wickham Common

Plants and conifer blueing bracket (Postia caesia).

The acid woodland at West Wickham Common Butterflies contain a number of plants of local interest such As a result of ongoing survey efforts by as climbing corydalis (Ceratocapnos claviculata), volunteers and professional recorders, there are Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) and good records of butterflies and moths present butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) – the latter a on West Wickham Common. The most plant steeped in human history for its uses as a significant species are the woodland specialists, scrubber to clean butcher’s blocks and its such as the white admiral (Limenitis Camilla), antibacterial properties. silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia) and Fungi speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) which thrive within the sunlit clearings provided by the Fungi are an integral component of woodland woodland glade creation work and the warm ecosystems. This importance recognises their role expanse of the open heathland. in driving the process of wood decay and decomposition of organic matter. The combined Moths effort of both professional and amateur Through a combination of moth surveys carried mycologists over the years has resulted in more out during 2015 and 2012 with further casual than 180 species of fungi being recorded with a sightings undertaken periodically, a total of 255 number of important species identified in recent moth species have now been recorded on West surveys. Wickham Common. A large proportion of these Lichens, bryophytes, mosses and liverworts are moths have their associated food plants of oak also well represented. The mosaic of different trees, scots pine and the various lichens and habitats and veteran trees means that there is a algae found on trees. This demonstrates that the strong representation across many of the major Common supports a very rich community of fungal groups. Of note, there are several fungal moths through these range of habitats. The species associated with decaying and standing toadflax brocade moth, (Calophasia lunula), is deadwood including oak pin (Cudoniella one of several Red Data Book species present. acicularis), birch polypore (Piptoporus betulinus)

30 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Saproxylic invertebrates a half and six years to become fully grown. place on the edge of the Earthworks on West Once mature, their adult lifespan is short; they Wickham Common to create new habitat using A “saproxylic” species is one that depends on emerge in May with the sole purpose of mating piles of tree trunks, vegetation, wood chip and dead or decaying wood in order to live. Some and die in August once the eggs have been earth. This proved a suitable habitat for these feed on the wood, others use it as a retreat or laid in decaying wood. magnificent creatures during their long juvenile hunting surface. life stage before emergence as adults. The stag beetle is listed on Annex II of the EC Ancient trees, pollards and old coppiced stools Habitats Directive and is a priority species in The pile is topped-up with timber, wood chip and are home to a wide range of saproxylic species both the UK and Bromley Biodiversity Action grass cuttings each winter to maintain the because they have abundant dead and Plans. The presence and continuity of habitat. Stag beetle larvae are often observed decaying wood in a variety of different moisture deadwood habitat which has been left to under trunks, stumps and wood piles in many and light conditions. The occurrence of carefully decay in-situ is essential in the conservation of other areas of West Wickham Common and managed ancient oak pollards ensures that there this species. In 2006 and 2007 a project took Spring Park. is are a high proportion of beetles which utilise this resource on West Wickham Common.

A survey of saproxylic beetles in 2009 recorded 62 species with 8 species having conservation status either as notable or Red Data Book. Rare species include Procraerus tibialis, a click beetle which is found solely on native veteran trees, and Dorcatoma dresdensis, a beetle species whose larvae feed exclusively in decayed heartwood on the tiny strandlike filaments of fungi.

West Wickham Common is one of the remaining strongholds of the saproxylic stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), the UK’s largest terrestrial beetle. The larvae live in the decaying wood of deciduous trees, often in roots, stumps and fallen timber of broad-leaved trees, and take between three and

31 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

snake (Natrix natrix), common lizard (Zootoca Tree hole-using birds and bats vivipara), slow worms (Anguis fragilis) and adder (Vipera berus) are documented in neighbouring The wide variety of old trees and standing Keston Common and Hayes Common. deadwood provides an important function for The road which fragments and dissects West hole-nesting birds such as greater spotted Wickham Common and these open spaces is a woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), blue tit (Parus major impediment on reptile movements. caeruleus) and tawny owl (Strix aluco).

The large coniferous scots pine additionally attract large flocks of long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) and occasional goldcrest (Regulus regulus) - the UK’s smallest bird.

As biological indicators of ecosystem health, the presence of bat species across the two sites suggests that there is a plentiful supply of insects. Five species have been recorded using the site for feeding, specifically noctule (Nyctalus noctule), serotine (Eptesicus serotinus), brown long-eared (Plecotus auratus), common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus).

Reptiles

Heathlands provide the right micro-climate and biological needs because of the open aspect and fine soils to support reptile species.

Although there are no positive records of reptile use of this habitat, reptile species including grass

32 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Rare species & wildlife Spring Park

Plants on new growth of blackthorn twigs which in turn emerge as larvae to feed on unfurling buds. The characteristic flora of the Spring Park is centred around woodland wildflowers and herbs The variety of woodland and grassland flora as well as the aquatic flora in and around the sustains other butterflies including marbled margins of the pond. Although not rare, the white, silver washed fritillary, meadow brown assemblage of wildflowers, many of which and occasional sightings of both the chalk hill indicate the continuity of ancient woodland, are blue butterfly and white admiral. locally important in terms of biodiversity value and supporting a wide range of specialist species.

Swathes of bluebells carpet the woodland each year as well as patches of wood anemone, primrose, sanicle and dog violet. Species of note in the Spring Park meadow includes, among many others, the nationally rare greater yellow- rattle (Rhinanthus minor).

Butterflies

Spring Park is recognised as one of the top breeding colony sites in the South East for brown hairstreak butterfly (Thecla betulae). The brown hairstreak butterfly is a Red Book List species and of a conservation priority within Greater London.

The butterfly species has declined rapidly in the last 60 years and are confined to areas where there are dense networks of hedges and small woodlands. Across the life stages of the butterfly, there is a near sole reliance on blackthorn; microscopic eggs (around 1mm across) are laid 33 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Dragonflies and damselflies Reptiles and amphibians

Informal surveys of invertebrates associated with The pond at Spring Park supports breeding wetland habitat have been carried out since populations of common frog (Rana temporaria), 2006, mainly by the pond on Spring Park. common toad (Bufo bufo) and smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris). The arisings of harvested To date, 13 species have been recorded, many wood from winter tree work has been stacked in breeding, including the nationally notable ruddy the area surrounding the pond to create darter dragonfly (Sympetrum sanguineum), large hibernacula for amphibians and supports red damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) and broad- connections with the damp woodland, pond bodied chaser dragonfly (Libellula depressa). and their associated terrestrial habitat. Birds

Alongside West Wickham Common, the site’s ancient woodland contains various cracks, holes and cavities that attract woodland birds to nest, perch and scour for food.

Birds commonly associated with open grassland and urban parks are also spotted including green woodpecker (Picus viridis), starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos), a BAP priority bird species. In recent years, there has been consistent records of common whitethroat (Sylvia communis) in the blackthorn scrub at Spring Park. This small passerine is suspected to be breeding during the summer months following their passage from Sub-Saharan Africa. Another regular summer visitor is the swallow (Hirundo rustica) and can be seen feeding on the wing in the open meadow. 34 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Vision West Wickham Common

West Wickham Common will continue to the future the ancient oaks and the open areas be a beautiful natural place, open for public of heath and grassland as refugia for wildlife. enjoyment. The unique nature of the There will be clear and inclusive access and majestic ancient pollards set in a landscape interpretation measures enabling visitors to make of open heath, acid grassland, ancient field the most of their visit. These measures will reflect systems and quiet meandering pathways the special nature of the site. Recreational will be treasured by local people and all of activities that co-exist with the landscape and those who come to visit. wildlife will be encouraged. The vision for the next ten years will specifically Whether for daily exercise, a Sunday afternoon focus on key projects to: walk with family or just that special place for quiet contemplation and a chance to get close to • Protect and enhance the ancient pollard oaks nature, we are committed to the conservation, • Maintain and enhance wildlife habitats with protection and enhancement of West Wickham particular focus on the open heath and edge Common for future generations. habitat along rides. • Provide innovative interpretation about the The local community will be encouraged to join in site, in particular the ancient trees and with efforts to conserve and celebrate the site archaeological features. through volunteering, joining us on ranger-led • Improve the access to the site by upgrading educational activities and promotion of the site key tracks and maintaining rights of way through innovative media. Our aim is to enhance • Diversify age structure and species within the the ecological functioning of the site at a woodland to support greater biodiversity and landscape scale, maintain its place as a key increase resilience to stresses such as disease component of the wider cultural landscape and and climate change. a direct link to our past as well as to providing a • Improve the access to the woodland by vital store of carbon in response to climate upgrading key tracks and maintaining rights of change. way. Our Management will balance the conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage, protect for

35

36 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Vision Spring Park

Spring Park will continue to be a beautiful the special nature and qualities of the site in an natural place, open to public enjoyment. The increasingly urban setting on London’s fringe. unique nature of the woods will be Recreational activities that co-exist with the treasured by local people and all those who landscape and wildlife will be encouraged. visit and there will be a commitment to its The vision for the next ten years will specifically conservation and enhancement for future focus on key projects to: generations.

• Maintain the current Sweet Chestnut coppice The local community will be encouraged to join in rotation to produce regular marketable short- with efforts to conserve and celebrate the woods and medium-term crops. through widening participation and • Maintain and enhance wildlife habitats for enhancement of volunteering. The aim of this will biodiversity with particular focus on open be to enhance the ecological functioning of the space and edge habitat along rides. site at a landscape scale, maintain a key • Diversify age structure and species within the component of the wider cultural landscape, and woodland to support greater biodiversity and provide vital ecosystem services in response to increase resilience to stresses such as disease the challenges of a warming climate and an and climate change. ongoing ecological crisis. • Improve the access to the woodland by upgrading key tracks and maintaining rights of Our Management will balance the conservation way. of biodiversity and cultural heritage, maintain the long-established coppice cycles and collection of rare small-leaved lime and encourage the understanding of and respect for Spring Park’s long-standing meadows, woodland and freshwater habitats.

There will be clear and inclusive access and interpretation measures enabling visitors to make the most of their visit. These measures will reflect

37

38

39 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Aims & methodology West Wickham Commons

The aims of the 2021-2031 management plan seek to maintain the West Wickham Commons as biodiverse open spaces and provide a direction of travel towards achieving the vision for the site.

The targets detailed here will be monitored throughout the plan and adjusted as needed to achieve the overall aims. Each aim is linked to the governing document of the West Wickham Commons charity, the Corporation of London (Open Spaces) Act 1878.

Aim 2: People Aim 3: Estate assets and legal issues Encourage the sustainable use of the West Protect the West Wickham Commons and Wickham Commons for recreation and the its users from harm. Fulfil legal obligations, enjoyment of the public and promote challenge threats and maintain assets in community involvement in all aspects of the good condition for future generations to site. enjoy.

Aim 1: Biological Maintain the biodiversity of the West Wickham Commons by managing habitats to favourable condition and achieving conservation gains that benefit the site and beyond. 40

Aim 1: Biological

41 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Aim 1: Biological West Wickham Common

Maintain the biodiversity of the West this become more open. Care needs to be need additional help. Some trees have been Wickham Commons by managing habitats taken that the environment around the old propped and tethered to prevent them falling to favourable condition and achieving trees doesn’t change too quickly: a sudden over and fences are used round ones that are conservation gains that benefit the site and change in wind flow leaves trees susceptible to most vulnerable. beyond. high winds or drought. The health and condition of the ancient trees are The elements of West Wickham Common are The pollards have been cut several times in monitored regularly to assess changes to their interdependent: habitats and species cannot be recent years. However, despite detailed condition and to check for pests and diseases. A managed in isolation. In general, the stronger the attention, many are increasingly fragile and work programme for the ancient details which site is in terms of habitat vigour and diversity, the year each tree needs to be worked on and what more resilient it will be to the impact of outside needs to be done. Each old tree has its own influences such as climate change, pollution and management plan that takes into account its habitat loss in surrounding areas. specific needs: for some this means substantial work, for others it is just occasional checks. Ancient trees New pollards are created to provide continuity of Our aim is to keep the old pollards alive as long as habitat and historical context for the future and, possible to protect the associated plant, animal ultimately, will replace the old pollards in time. and fungal communities. Trees need regular inspections and pruning to reduce the weight of the branches. When cutting, care is taken to Target: Conserve and enhance ancient trees leave enough foliage to keep the tree alive whilst still removing enough wood to stop the heavy branches tearing the tree apart or causing it to Achieved by: fall over. • Annual condition check on old pollards

It is also essential to ensure each tree receives • Practical work on old pollards enough light. As the height of the crown is reduced, more surrounding young trees may • Installing, replacing and checking cables/ need to be removed. props • Creating new pollards The small clearings (halos) around each pollard start to join up over time, and clearing this helps • Young pollard rotational cutting

42 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Secondary woodland and scrub woodland and ultimately ancient woodland in the future. Target: Improve ecological value of With the cessation of grazing livestock on West secondary woodland Wickham Common a long time ago, there has This will be achieved by gradually clearing been a gradual encroachment of scrub and portions of scrub and woodland avoiding bird secondary woodland in some areas. A dense wall nesting season (February to August). Where Achieved by of holly in an understory of oak and birch present, stands of oak, birch and hazel will be • Cutting and treating dense holly woodland of uniform height has led to a decline retained alongside standing deadwood and in habitat diversity. decaying timber for wildlife. Higher light levels understorey will confer a range of benefits within the canopy • Thinning dense woodland canopies to and ground habitats, such as encouraging a Generally, woodlands that are structurally diverse, encourage natural regeneration that is woodlands which have a range of greater diversity of invertebrates, epiphytic lichens and wood-decaying fungi. vegetation heights and trees of different ages, • Planting native woodland shrubs and trees have a wider range of micro-habitats and niches for wildlife to exploit. Research has indicated that • Creating woodland edge wildlife corridors many species find the first ten meters from a • Maintaining woodland edge wildlife woodland edge more favourable than dense woodland because of the greater availability of corridors light. • Cutting and treating invasive species: Laurel, Portuguese Laurel & The structural and species diversity helps to build Rhododendron in resilience to the ecosystem to help negate external influences such as disease or climate • Surveying & controlling Oak Processionary change. Some species also require a balance of Moth infestations age classes and structural variation to sustain healthy populations.

The overall aim is to achieve a varied habitat mosaic throughout the woodland. For improving habitat value for wildlife this should incorporate a diversity of tree ages and all stages of the full succession appropriate to the landscape of West Wickham Common from grassland and heathland through to scrub, to secondary 43 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Heathland created a very varied age structure so it’s unlikely intervention will be required for a while. Heathland has been shaped almost entirely due to human activity and once provided basic Scrub will be encouraged along the edges of necessities to local communities for grazing the open heathland and the adjoining livestock. Nowadays, heaths provide a valuable woodland to provide habitat, primarily for habitat for a diverse range of species including birds, mammals and invertebrates; this will invertebrates, birds and reptiles. It exists as a state need routine cutting to prevent it from held back from reaching its climax community developing into secondary woodland. vegetation; if left undisturbed, heathland will The open expanse of heathland on West naturally revert into secondary woodland as trees Wickham Common is an island within a and enrich the nutrient-depleted soils over time. patchwork of heathland stretching across the One characteristic of well-managed heathland is adjacent Hayes and Keston Commons. The heaths that survive in the UK today are a mosaic of different age groups of heather; the Target: Conserve and enhance the heathland incredibly rare and a small fraction of what different stages of heather growth are an important feature used by species including existed 100 years ago. Achieved by: nesting birds. The micro variation within the There is evidence to suggest that West heathland is achieved by expanding the Wickham Common used to be a much more • Maintaining existing heath by clearing heathland area to create new growth. The open landscape and that an expanse of bracken, bramble and saplings patchy mosaic of heather provides sunny spots heath covered a larger portion of the site than • Extending existing heath by spreading for reptiles and invertebrates to bask, networks of it does today. Over the last decade, heath on seed and plug planting tunnels for animals to move through unnoticed the Common has been expanded and new and taller tufts of heather for birds to demark their areas have been made by translocating • Establishing new heath by clearing trees, territories. In older areas or large patches of a heather seeds. The cultural and landscape scrapping-off woodland soils and seed uniform height and size, it might be necessary to associations of heath on West Wickham spreading break up clusters using mechanical methods. Common add weight to the argument to However in recent years several deliberate (acts conserve and support new areas offering of arson) and accidental fires that have affected stepping stones for heathland species that will large parts of the heath have, by coincidence, support and protect the existing patches.

44 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Grassland

The gravelly, sandy soils of West Wickham Acid grassland can be an important part of Common contain areas of acid grassland – a heathland systems, adding to the overall habitat of national and local importance due to diversity. the variety of rare and declining plants and There are several small patches found on West animals it supports including grasses, wildflowers, Wickham Common on the southern edge of the invertebrates and fungi. Croydon Road.

Acid grassland occurs on free-draining soil with These strips are managed by annual cutting acid conditions and is characterised by grassy and removal of vegetation to preserve the tussocks and bare ground. In the UK, it is balance of this nutrient-deprived system. becoming increasingly rare. We will expand these habitats by thinning scrub and secondary woodland incrementally around the grassland edges.

Target: Conserve and enhance grassland

Achieved by:

• Maintaining existing grasslands by annual hay cutting and removal of arisings

• Extending grasslands by clearing trees and holly understory

AlanWilkinson • Controlling undesirable species e.g.

Ragwort

45 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Aim 1: Biological Spring Park

Maintain the biodiversity of the West Wickham Commons by managing habitats to favourable condition and achieving conservation gains that benefit the site and beyond.

Coppice woodland

Coppice woodlands are an intrinsic part of the UK’s natural and cultural heritage - rich in landscape character, wildlife and land use history. The coppice woodland at Spring Park is managed today much in the same way as it was done in past centuries. Areas, or coups of sweet chestnut, hazel and small-leaved lime are coppiced during the winter work season to avoid disturbing breeding birds. The smaller trees within each compartment known as the understory are cut almost to ground level and send up healthy new shoots in the following spring. This technique of woodland management extends the life of these trees, rejuvenating it each time the stems are harvested.

The harvested wood is used to create piles within the coppice coups, providing great habitat for a Through opening up the area to light, different and mammals in the dense regrowth of the large variety of invertebrates, mosses, lichens and coppiced ‘stools’. fungi left to naturally decompose. Timber levels of shade and vegetation density are produced from coppicing is also used for stakes created. This ensures a wider variety of habitat The compartments are cut on a rotation and binders in hedgelaying and fence posts. ‘niches’, which are filled by a diversity of plants depending on the tree species in the coup. By Routes for extracting the timber are carefully and animals. In the areas cut in the last winter, cutting small areas on rotation, a mosaic of planned to avoid vulnerable parts of the there is a burst of wildflowers including violets, habitats, all at different ages and heights, are woodland and traditional heavy horses have bluebells and anemones. The various ages of created within the expanse of woodland. been used in the past to access steep slopes. regrowth provide ideal habitats for nesting birds

46

West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Coppice rotations per species

Coppice - Sweet chestnut takes place on a 16 year rotation. All stems are cut to a stub of >100mm, using chainsaws. All mature oak trees and some standards of other native species are left uncut to form the canopy layer

Coppice - Hazel takes place on a 10 year rotation. All stools are cut to neat stubs using bowsaws.

Hazel is planted and layered to ‘beat up’ the Target: Conserve and enhance coppice coups and increase density. Standards are woodland removed where necessary to allow light to the new coppice growth.

Achieved by: Coppice – Small-leaved lime takes place on a 20 year rotation where it exists as a single • Creating habitat piles from brushwood/ species mono-culture. timber and veteranizing trees

Small-leaved limes found within coups • Maintaining established coppice rotations dominated by chestnut or hazel are coppiced • Establishing new coppice rotations on the 16 or 10 year cycles prescribed for these species occasional throughout the hazel coppice and overstood stools will be cut during the hazel coppicing. Occasional lime standards are left uncut to form a component of the canopy layer.

47 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Woodland Carrying out works to vary the age structure by woodland for the decaying processes led by gradually thinning some of the trees would A large portion of woodland in the north-east beetles and fungi. create sun-filled open glades enabling more section of Spring Park bordering Chenye Woods plants to grow and improving this habitat’s and Sparrow’s Den has been previously managed value for wildlife. Native trees might also be and maintained with minimal input or intervention planting to supplement natural regeneration Target: Improve ecological value of over the last few decades. that has otherwise not occurred due to the secondary woodland Arguably, the woodland in this section possesses availability of light. less biological value than that of the surrounding Several large trees brought down by the heavy Achieved by coppiced areas – the trees heavily compete for winds of the 1987 storm are still present in the light and water and grow uniformly. The dense • Cutting and treating dense holly understory today. Increasing the temperature, canopy formed by similar tree ages shades out understorey humidity and density of light to the woodland less common flowers and plants that would floor, as agents of decomposition, could alter • Thinning dense woodland canopies to otherwise be found on the woodland floor. encourage natural regeneration

• Planting native woodland shrubs and trees

• Creating woodland edge wildlife corridors

• Maintaining woodland edge wildlife corridors

• Cutting and treating invasive species: Laurel, Portuguese Laurel & Rhododendron

• Surveying & controlling Oak Processionary Moth infestations

• Retaining piles of deadwood for invertebrates and fungi

48 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Grassland Wildflowers like Kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) are one of the desirable grassland The grassland at Spring Park is managed to species that would enhance the quality of the encourage wildflowers and provide an important grassland at Spring Park for invertebrates; Kidney habitat for birds and invertebrates. Work is carried vetch is the food plant for the small blue out to prevent the rapid encroachment of shrubs butterfly (Cupido minimus), but is also generally in the meadow. This is done by carrying out an utilised by similar uncommon butterfly species annual conservation hay cut of the meadow. The including the chalkhill blue (Polyommatus hay is bailed and supplies food throughout the coridon) and adonis butterfly (Polyommatus winter for a herd of conservation grazing cattle on bellargus). the nearby Coulsdon Commons.

In recent years, greater yellow rattle, a nationally- Oldbilluk rare wildflower, has appeared in the grassland

Target: Conserve and enhance grassland – Flickr

habitat at Spring Park. A specialist to chalk and neutral grasslands, the success of the greater yellow rattle highlights the potential to improve Achieved by: the grassland sward to contain a greater diversity • Maintaining existing grasslands by annual of species that reflects the downland landscape hay cutting and removal of arisings Spring Park sits within. Similar habitats occur • Extending grasslands by clearing trees and nearby at Hutchinson’s Bank and Chapel Bank holly understory Nature Reserves with diverse neutral and chalk grasslands. The short turf, low nutrients and • Controlling undesirable species e.g. patches of bare ground in the meadow means Ragwort that there are opportunities for less-common wildflowers to grow. Similarly, these patches of exposed, fine sandy soil have been utilised by burrowing solitary wasps and bees including beewolf (Philanthus Triangulum)- a large bee- predating wasp.

49 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Freshwater pond The pond has suffered from vigorous growth of undesirable species in the pond margin The freshwater pond is a rich habitat for a diverse including reed mace (Typha latifoli) and water range of aquatic invertebrates, wetland plants horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) which are and amphibians. This vital source of water is also a regularly controlled. key resource used by mammals, birds and other invertebrates in the wider landscape - a habitat in The appearance of New Zealand pigmyweed MarkShoesmith decline in the UK, especially within Greater (Crassula recurva), listed on Schedule 9 of the London. UK Wildlife and Countryside Act as an invasive, non-native species, has grown and spread in Smooth newts are one of the species which the pond, posing a threat to native species due benefit most from managing the pond, to depleted oxygen levels and its mat forming particularly the vegetation around the pond abilities. margins. Newts are particularly sensitive to changes within ponds and, to successfully breed, require a diverse range of plant species in which they can wrap their eggs such as water mint Target: Conserve and enhance coppice

(Mentha aquatica) and water forget-me-not freshwater habitat BalsamAshley (Myosotis scorpioides). In previous years, rotting

vegetation, logs and piles of silt have been left on the bank of the pond to create an artificial Achieved by: ‘hibernacula’ - a place in which amphibians, such • Removal of silt and accumulated leaf as frogs and newts, can use throughout the winter litter to protect themselves from the cold. • Maintaining pond habitat Based on recommendations for managing the • Establishing new hibernacula for freshwater pond at Spring Park, past practical amphibians activities have included regular small-scale tree clearance to maintain the edges in dappled • Controlling invasive and undesirable shade, remove undesirable vegetation and more species e.g. New Zealand pigmyweed substantial silt removal. 50 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Successional habitats Hedgerows

A mosaic of habitats at both site and landscape The hedgerows at Spring Park are maintained to scale is essential for specific BAP species (in provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife and a particular, assemblages of invertebrates and cultural feature that demarks old field breeding birds). If managed well, scrub is an boundaries. Much like successional habitats, extremely valuable habitat to support blocks of hedges are an important ‘ecotone’ - an edge woodland and grassland. between habitat types through which many animals can move, forage and take shelter One species which benefits from regularly cut within. Well managed hedges are dense, scrub is the brown hairstreak butterfly. A offering few gaps for predators to seek out blackthorn thicket between the Spring Park Office nesting or vulnerable animals. The traditional and meadow is a key habitat managed for the brown hairstreak. A four year rotation of cutting is approach of laying hedges, a countryside craft designed to give the correct mix of habitat practiced for hundreds of years, offers the most elements required to support egg laying of the sympathetic management for wildlife. brown hairstreak. Timing work on hedges is vital to viable habitats;

work is carried out on a rotational basis to MarkShoesmith ensure that these systems are not disturbed at

Target: Conserve and enhance critical times of the year for wildlife.

successional habitats Target: Conserve and enhance hedgerows

Achieved by:

• Maintaining established scrub coppice Achieved by: rotation based on target species • Maintaining hedges by rotational management (e.g. brown hairstreak) cutting

• Maintaining woodland habitats through • Enhancing hedgerow habitat by BostockMilo

rotational cutting rotational hedge laying

51 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Aim 1: Biological West Wickham Commons

Monitoring and survey work

Knowing what rare and threatened species live on the West Wickham Commons is essential for us to plan management works to ensure that they benefit from our work and are not adversely impacted. This can be challenging: many of these species are small and/or hard to find or identify.

As habitat restoration progresses and areas change, the associated fauna and flora will also change. Throughout all our work it is important to record actions that are carried out and to evaluate the success of techniques used. In addition, long term monitoring is especially valuable because it also provides data showing how species and habitats are being affected by climate change that can be used to inform Target: Monitor and survey habitats/species mitigation and response measures.

The data we collect contributes to many national Achieved by: monitoring programmes: the data gathered informs not only the work carried out on the • Monitoring of target species and reporting nature reserve but also across the country. to local and national monitoring schemes Similarly, research projects add to the information available about the West Wickham Commons e.g. butterflies and moths and can influence activities beyond the two sites • Annual monitoring and reporting for too. Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Examples of current recording projects include • Assessing condition of habitats in line with regular butterfly transects, butterfly egg counts for the newly-established Countryside black hairstreak and recording moths through Stewardship requirements light trapping. 52

Aim 2: People

53 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Aim 2: People West Wickham Commons

Encourage the sustainable use of the West The site ranger, supported by local volunteers, Wickham Commons for recreation and the plays a huge role in making the West Wickham enjoyment of the public and promote Commons a welcoming and accessible place community involvement in all aspects of the for visitors. Both sites are recipients of the Green site. Flag Award, having been judged according to an international standard of good practice Access and recreation within the green space sector. To this end, the targets of the objective in this section of the plan uses the criteria of the Green Flag Award The West Wickham Commons are well used by scheme to assess service delivery in relation to people and exist as green oases within a wider people. network of commons and open spaces in and around the fringes of Greater London. It is important that visitors enjoy the time they spend on these two commons, but it is also important that their impact is as light as possible to conserve and support the features, habitats and wildlife that make these sites special. The activities of some visitors can detract from the enjoyment of others if not carefully managed.

The West Wickham Commons play a vital role not only in relation to biodiversity but also social capital by restoring, supporting and boosting our physical and mental heath and wellbeing. The vision for the West Wickham Commons is for quiet, informal and responsible recreation that coexists with the landscape and wildlife present.

True to the original words in the Corporation of London (Open Spaces) Act in 1878, the West Wickham Commons are protected in perpetuity for people to access for recreation. Byelaws made under the Act help regulate activities.

54

West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Target: Provide welcoming and accessible Target: Prevent and discourage inappropriate Open Spaces use and behaviour

Achieved by: Achieved by:

• Maintaining information and byelaw • Attending Police Community Advisory boards at key entrances Panel meetings and liaising with local • Participation in Green Flag Award by police teams facilitating independent audit of site • Encouraging visitors to take all litter home facilities through signage and ranger presence

• Maintaining accessible surfaced paths • Encouraging responsible dog walking • Maintaining unsurfaced paths by regular through highlighting legal responsibilities mowing throughout April-October and and enforcing negative behaviour path-side vegetation clearance • Removing fly tipping

• Providing and maintaining pathway • Maintaining an out-of-hours rota of rangers infrastructure including fingerposts, gates to respond to incidents 365 days a year and waymarkers

• Providing and maintaining provision for car parking including disabled access

• Regular patrolling by Rangers to provide a visual presence and interaction with visitors

55 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Sustainable transport Target: Improve provision for visitors arriving Services are provided for accessing the West by sustainable transport Wickham Commons by a variety of transport options. With the challenges of a growing urban population and climate change, reaching the Achieved by: two open spaces by foot, bike or public • Working in partnership with Bromley transport should be prioritised to improve air Council & Transport for London to work up quality, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and design options for improved bus stopping enhance the quality of visitor experience. area, cycle parking and the linear cycle At Spring Park, an over-provision of parking path alongside Addington Road spaces has encouraged users to travel by car • Identifying sources of funding for rather than opting for more sustainable transport improvements from local or national options such as walking, arriving by bus or sustainable transport initiatives cycling. Spring Park’s proximity to national cycling routes and local public transport hubs • Implement and publicise new transport should be utilised to promote and encourage options to encourage sustainable use greater use of low-carbon travel.

56

West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Interpretation and education Interpretation and engagements are aimed at a broad audience so all visitors can enjoy the sites The popularity and location of the West and have a better understanding of their most Wickham Commons presents an ideal important features and the role that the City of opportunity for informal interpretation and London and volunteers have in their formal education about the wildlife, history and management. management of these two sites.

Information and stories about the West Wickham Commons have often been produced Target: Inform and promote appreciation of and interpreted with the support, knowledge the West Wickham Commons and expertise from local interest groups, charities and organisations with aligning visions. Partners from previous years have included Achieved by: productive and positive collaborations with the • Providing up-to-date and relevant Ancient Tree Forum, London Geodiversity information for visitors at key areas and on Partnership and London Wildlife Trust. noticeboards

In recent years, there has been a growing • Providing attractive interpretation panels concern that with the fast-pace of modern life, to highlight special habitats, species and society has become more and more distanced heritage features from nature. The visions for the West Wickham • Working with partners to develop and Commons supports the use of these sites for promote interpretation in new ways recreation that is sensitive to and co-exists with the landscape and nature - slower activities that • Using temporary sings before and after help beat stress, anxiety and connect with habitat work that explain why it is needed nature. Alongside this, interpretation and and beneficial to the site’s management education plays a supporting role, offering a greater understanding and awareness of wildlife, landscape and heritage features that might otherwise get overlooked or passed by. 57 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Activities and events Events should aim to interpret the West Wickham Commons as a place of natural and Target: Provide a diverse range of events and The Rangers organise events on the West historical significance. activities across the West Wickham Commons Wickham Commons ranging from guided walks to ecological workshops, art events and Formal talks and presentations by rangers off- ‘bioblitz’ citizen science-led sessions (to produce site to groups such as societies, schools and Achieved by: a snapshot of all wildlife on the site at a point in clubs can be a good way to deliver accurate • Organising a Ranger-led programme of time). There are many interesting and enjoyable information to a large group and provide an events throughout the year ways to deliver key messages and opportunities insight into all aspects of the work that the City to link with the popularity of green spaces for of London rangers and volunteers do. • Supporting occasional events each year health and wellbeing. arranged by local groups with conservation interests or aims to provide healthy outdoor recreational opportunities and/or community benefit

• Providing outreach talks to local clubs and societies

• Promoting events through a variety of media and using electronic booking to support voluntary donations

58 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Key messages and communication emerging technologies that are part of our everyday lives. These technologies can be a The West Wickham Commons represent two fantastic opportunity to engage with different sites of significance for wildlife that also benefit visitor demographics, provide information and people and are important to the physical be a creative tool to exploring the West environment for society at large. These elements Wickham Commons. and benefits might not necessarily be seen, understood or mutually perceived by everyone; Visitor information is available via the City of It is important that the value and significance of London website, but increasingly this is these sites are clearly communicated via key becoming a streamlined prospectus rather than messages aimed at: an archive of information. Consequently, it will be necessary to develop new and innovative • Promoting the benefits people can enjoy ways to convey detailed site and subject from visiting the West Wickham Commons Target: Communicate key messages across specific information. (as distinct from promoting the West multiple digital platforms and media Wickham Commons to attract more visitors). For example, digital walking trails, including

sections across both of the West Wickham • Highlighting their historical significance and Commons, are helping smartphone users to Achieved by: ecological importance. accurately navigate routes, see images of what • Maintaining communications via social • Describing the physical evidence of our work to look out for and have detailed information of media (the benefits of management for wildlife and interesting sights at the touch of a button. people, including ecosystem services that • Producing a monthly electronic newsletter The West Wickham Commons also have a benefit latent needs). for subscribers dedicated Facebook page and maintain a • Provide the appropriate information for presence on Twitter. With the growing number • Producing site and subject specific people to safely enjoy their visit and respect of users across all social media platforms, material for electronic and physical the nature reserve to conserve it. sharing information via these channels will likely distribution The way in which we receive information and become increasingly important. • Researching new technologies and experience activities, even outdoors, is changes to nature and heritage constantly evolving and being shaped by interpretation and communication

59 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Community involvement Target: Encourage community involvement The West Wickham Commons have benefitted in supporting the work of the West Wickham from significant levels of community Commons involvement. During the lifetime of the proceeding management plan, a large portion of the practical work tasks could not have been Achieved by: completed without the many hours of volunteer • Promoting and providing volunteering participation each year. This comprised opportunities through monthly work tasks contributions from the West Wickham and and individual projects Spring Park Volunteers, affectionately known as the WWaSPs, in addition to occasional • Supporting volunteer groups and corporate volunteer groups. It also included individuals through provision of training, contributions from people engaged in surveying tools and Personal Protective Equipment and monitoring and other tasks that contributed (PPE) to achievements above and beyond core • Publishing issues relevant to the West management tasks. Wickham Commons at local events and The elected Members of the City Corporation stakeholder meetings who make decisions about the West Wickham • Facilitating work experience students, Commons are guided by a Consultative Group Duke of Edinburgh participants, research who meet primarily to advise on the projects and corporate volunteering development and implementation of this plan and provide City Members with a local • Planning and delivering projects that perspective on issues. The West Wickham include opportunities for community Commons Consultative Group comprises local involvement and are beneficial beyond representatives including conservation the borders of the West Wickham specialists, representatives of user groups and Commons (e.g. see sustainable community interests. transport)

60

Aim 3: Estate & legal issues

61 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Aim 3: Estate & legal issues West Wickham Commons

Protect the West Wickham Commons and its users from harm. Fulfil legal obligations, Target: Conserve and protect heritage challenge threats and maintain assets in features good condition for future generations to enjoy. Achieved by: Historic features • Maintaining heritage features by The remains of the likely Iron Age fort on West controlling scrub growth Wickham Common is the principal heritage • Liaising with Historic England and key feature that requires conserving alongside the various smaller settlements of an unknown age stakeholders and several ancient wood bank systems on Spring • Maintaining and producing Park. Currently the management of the fort and interpretative signage features other features involves controlling the vegetation growing over them to limit root damage. Keeping • Patrolling and enforcing byelaws to an open aspect to these monuments is beneficial protect heritage features for the management and also helps visitors to appreciate them.

62 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Tree Safety Target: Manage tree safety The tree safety strategy for the West Wickham Commons takes full account of the conservation importance of the site. Achieved by:

The inspection process should not lead to a loss of • Using a risk-based approach and a character or species diversity, rather it should zoning system assist the management process ensuring that, as far as reasonably practicable, balance is • Undertaking an annual review of the maintained between conservation and risk tree inspection (zoning) map management. Accordingly, the following • Carrying out a documented tree principles are applied: hazard inspection regime

• Standing dead timber is an important resource • Using experienced inspectors trained and is left wherever possible. Dead trees are to Professional Tree Inspector level ‘reduced’ if safety work is necessary. • Prioritising work identified in inspections • Limbs or timber felled are left in situ wherever possible. • Inspecting after storm events • Recording tree failures, surveying and • The presence of fungal bodies on trees is not to Target: Maintain built assets monitoring tree condition be taken as an automatic indication that the tree is dangerous but may act as an indicator that further, detailed, inspection is required. Achieved by: Built assets • Managing a system for reporting and • When considering remedial action to reduce rectifying defects risk, due consideration is given to removing the Many of the built structures on the West target from the hazard wherever possible. Wickham Commons are maintained by the City • Facilitating contractor inspections and Surveyors Department and are listed in a 20- working with the City Surveyors year plan for periodic maintenance. Assets Department according to the agreed managed this way include the Spring Park service responsibilities Office, entrance barriers and byelaw boards.

63 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

The Spring Park Office Residential boundaries Target: Manage residential boundaries The Spring Park Office was constructed to provide Residential boundaries are managed according a base for the site Ranger, but also as a facility to to set criteria to ensure safety and consistency. support volunteering and community involvement Managing for light and views are not generally Achieved by: so integral to the life of the West Wickham considered appropriate reasons to undertake Commons. It has office accommodation, a work. Generally, homeowners are not permitted • Granting annual license agreements to workshop and toilet facilities which enables the access across the Common to maintain their allow neighbours direct access onto the Rangers to host events from here with direct properties, although exceptions are sometimes West Wickham Commons access onto Spring Park. granted if the work benefits the Common or its • Only permitting under license access visitors – for example tree safety work. across the Common to properties for maintenance if the proposed work benefits the Commons or their visitors (tree safety for example)

64 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Utilities Emergency planning Target: Retain Green Flag Awards for both It is essential that plans are in place to deal with Any maintenance or replacement of underlying sites and Green Heritage award for West pipework for water, gas and other utilities requires emergencies and, that where possible and Wickham Common careful management to minimise damage to the appropriate, access is granted to emergency West Wickham Commons. It is also essential that services to respond to incidents on the West habitat and other work does not damage Wickham Commons. underground services. Achieved by: • Applying for accreditation and meeting the standards for performance Target: Protect utilities and infrastructure Target: Plan for emergencies

while safeguarding the West Wickham Commons Achieved by:

• Maintaining emergency plans and Achieved by: keeping them available for instant use • Ensuring records for utilities are up to • Regular liaison with emergency services date and accessible • 24hours over 7 days rota for Ranger • Liaising with utility companies and the response to incidents City Surveyors Department to ensure due care and diligence to statutory responsibilities External accreditation • Granting access for the installation and maintenance of infrastructure assets Achieving external quality standards validates under license only if the sites are management practices and gives assurance to adequately protected our community, staff and elected Members that the West Wickham Commons are being well

run.

65 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Illegal access Being mindful of the impact of our activities

The management of the West Wickham Target: Prevent illegal encroachment and Commons aims to maintain and improve the ensure banks and posts prevent damage to conservation and historic value of both sites, the reserve by vehicles and ensure visitor enjoyment. However, these actions also have the potential to cause

negative impacts. Achieved by: All contractors working in the West Wickham • Regular inspections and repairs to Commons follow a bio-security protocol to secure boundaries reduce the chance of invasive species and diseases being introduced. • Providing clear contact details and responding effectively to incidents

• Maintaining posts and banks in good Target: Reduce the environmental footprint condition of other activities • Keeping estate boundaries clearly Achieved by: determined with wayleaves and licences up to date • Following the bio-security policy • Regular review of activities and practices while exploring options for reducing environmental impact

• Encouraging visitors to consider their impact when visiting, take litter home and avoid single-use plastic items

• Pursuing sustainable use of timber products from conservation work

66 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Work Programme 2021-31 West Wickham Commons

The following section details the works that will be carried out to achieve the aims and objectives of this management plan.

The table on the following pages summarises when the major projects will be undertaken on the West Wickham Commons in the next 10 years.

These tables also detail where work will be carried out in each year of the management plan according to the site compartments which are shown on the map. An annual plan and details of each project further guide the work.

Other documents steer our work too. For example, the Open Spaces Department Business Plan is a City of London document listing the key projects for the Department and each open space. This aims to enrich people’s lives by enhancing and promoting access to ecologically diverse open spaces and outstanding heritage assets across London and beyond.

The West Wickham Commons have grant funding from Natural England in the form of a Countryside Stewardship Scheme Agreement. This gives an area payment for some habitat types and also Spring Park and West Wickham Common compartment boundaries and numbers money for some specific projects. © Crown copyright and database rights 2020 OS 100023243 Geoinformation Group 2013.

67

Location: Key to projects:

SP - Spring Park WW - West Wickham Common 1 - essential 2 - highly desirable 3– desirable

OBJECTIVE 1: Biological Compartment Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Y7 Y8 Y9 Y10 Code Target: Conserve and enhance veteran trees SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Annual condition check on old pollards W1, W3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Practical work on old pollards W1, W3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Install, replace and check cables/props W1, W3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Create new pollards W1, W3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Young pollard rotational cutting W1, W3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Code Target: Conserve and enhance coppice woodland SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Create habitat piles and veteranise trees All All 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Maintain established coppice rotations S1 - S4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Establish new coppice rotations S5 W3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Code Target: Improve secondary woodland SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 W1, W3, Cut and treat dense holly understorey W4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Thin dense woodland canopies to encourage natural W1, W3, regeneration S5 W4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 W1, W3, Plant native woodland shrubs and trees S1, S2 W4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 W1, W3, Create woodland edge wildlife corridors W4 3 3 3 W1, W3, Maintain woodland edge wildlife corridors W5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Cut and treat invasive species: Laurel, Portuguese W1, W3, Laurel & Rhododendron S1 - S5 W4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Survey & control Oak Processionary Moth infestations Any Any 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Code Target: Conserve & enhance heathland SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Maintain existing heath by clearing bracken, brambles and young trees W2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 68

Extend existing heath by spreading seed and plug planting W2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Establish new heath by clearing trees, scrapping off woodland soils and spreading seed W5 2 2 2 2 2

Code Target: Conserve & enhance grasslands SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Maintain existing grasslands by annual hay cutting and removal S6, S7 W2, W3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Extend grasslands by clearing trees and holly understorey W3 2 2 2 2 Control undesirable species: Ragwort S6, S7 W2, W3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Code Target: Conserve & enhance successional habitats SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Maintain established scrub coppice rotation S6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Maintain woodland edge habitats through rotational cutting S6, S7 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Maintain pond by aquatic vegetation removal S6 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Code Target: Conserve & enhance hedgerows SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Maintain hedges by rotational cutting S6, S7 W1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Enhance hedgerow habitat by hedge laying S6, S7 3 3 3 3 3

Code Target: Survey & monitor habitats & species SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Review survey & monitoring in line with new Countryside Stewardship requirements All All 1 Annual monitoring and reporting for Countryside Stewardship Scheme All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Butterfly Transects - NBMS All All 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

OBJECTIVE 2: People. Compartment Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Y7 Y8 Y9 Y10 Target: Improve provision for visitors arriving by Code sustainable transport SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Working in partnership with Bromley Council and TfL to improve cycling and bus stop facilities S6, S7 3 3 3 Identify sources of funding to implement and publicise new sustainable transport options S6, S7 All 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

69

Target: Promote knowledge and appreciation of the Code West Wickham Commons SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Organise events & guided walks and educational visits Any Any 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Provide up-to-date information for visitors on rustic noticeboards S2, S6, S7 Any Investigate historical status of 'the Earthworks' by organising a 'community archaeology dig' W2 3 3 Provide attractive interpretation panels to highlight special habitats, species and heritage features Any Any 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Code Target: Provide welcoming Open Spaces SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Monitor and promptly clear litter, graffiti and fly- tipped rubbish All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Maintain Green Flag Award status by facilitating independent audit of site facilities All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Maintain uniformed ranger presence All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Code Target: Discourage inappropriate use SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Attend Police Community Advisory Panel meetings and liaise with local police teams Off-site Off-site 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Encourage visitors to take all litter home through signage and ranger presence All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Encourage responsible dog walking by highlighting legal responsibilities All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Code Target: Encourage public involvement SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Support volunteers groups and individuals through provision of a wide variety of practical tasks and wildlife monitoring opportunities. All All 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Supply appropriate training, tools and PPE for volunteer practical work and monitoring activities All All 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

70

OBJECTIVE 3: Estate Compartment Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Y7 Y8 Y9 Y10

Code Target: Provide accessible Open Spaces SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Provide and maintain byelaw boards, noticeboards and benches All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Provide & maintain pathway infrastructure including fingerposts, gates and waymarkers All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Maintain surfaced paths W1, W2, W3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Maintain unsurfaced paths by mowing and path side vegetation clearance All All 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Code Target: Fulfil health & safety obligations SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Routine tree safety surveys and resulting work All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Emergency tree safety surveys and resulting work Any Any 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Code Target: Fulfil all other legal obligations SP WW 2021 -22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Liaise with Natural England Any Any 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Liaise with Historic England Any W2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Produce new Management Plan Off-site Off-site 1 Fulfil all Countryside Stewardship and GAEC requirements All All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

71 West Wickham Commons Management Plan

Background Information West Wickham Commons

Glossary Credits

Ancient woodland: woodland that has existed The 2021-31 West Wickham Commons Management Plan since at least 1600. has been ratified by Natural England [tbc]. The plan was drawn up by ,Allan Cameron, Barry Gutteridge and Tom Coppice: a tree or block of trees cut once or Oliver; editing and design by Tom Oliver; illustrations by more, close to ground level to obtain wood from Dan Powell; photographs by Mark Shoesmith and other the branches. members of the Ranger team. Thank you to those who Heathland: an area of vegetation characterised commented on the plan, including City of London staff by heathers, on impoverished soils that is the result and volunteers. of thousands of years of exploitation by humans.

In favourable condition: a site that meets with Natural England conservation objectives.

Pollard: a tree that has been cut once or more, at a height of above 1.5m to obtain a crop of branches out of the reach of grazing animals.

Red data book: list (originally a red book) of rare and threatened species of plant and animal.

Secondary woodland: woodland that has grown up on previously open land such as heathland or farmland.

Wood pasture: Land containing trees that is or was grazed with domestic animals or deer is referred to as wood pasture.

72

The City of London Corporation is the The City’s Open Spaces are protected under activities such as cutting trees, managing the governing body for the Square Mile dedicated to their own Acts of Parliament (Corporation of other vegetation and grazing. a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse London (Open Spaces) Act, 1878 and City of The City of London is required by law to comply and sustainable London within a globally London Corporation (Open Spaces) Act 2018). with certain duties relating to conservation as successful UK. These enable the City to acquire land which, set out in section 28G of the Wildlife & under the terms of the 1878 Act, must remain The City owns and manages almost 4,500 ha of Countryside Act (1981, as amended) and the unenclosed and unbuilt upon as open spaces green spaces, parks and gardens in and around Natural Environment and Rural Communities for the recreation and enjoyment of the public London as part of its commitment to sustaining Act (2006). These require the City of London to whilst preserving the natural aspect and a world class city. Each Open Space is a unique take reasonable steps to further the conservation protecting the trees and ground vegetation. resource managed for the use and enjoyment of and enhancement of its Open Spaces the public and for the conservation of wildlife The 2018 Act clarifies that the City of London and historic landscape. can undertake management and husbandry

73

Merlewood Estate Office Merlewood Close Caterham Surrey CR3 5LN [email protected] www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

If you would like to receive this publication in your language or an alternative format such as large print, Braille or audio tape, please contact the Open Spaces Department, City of London, PO Box 270, Guildhall, London EC2P 2 EJ. Telephone 0207 332 3505.

74